Median rent is 12% lower in Knoxville ($1,116/mo vs $1,264/mo). Buying is cheaper in Dearborn, where the median home runs $205,900 versus $214,000. Households earn more in Dearborn ($65,192 vs $50,994 a year). Taken together, Knoxville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 96.1 against 96.3 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Dearborn, MI.
City A
Dearborn, MI
City B
Knoxville, TN
How much would you need to earn in Knoxville, TN to maintain your standard of living from Dearborn, MI?
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$74,906
You could earn $94 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Dearborn
Michigan
Knoxville
Tennessee
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Knoxville at $1,116/mo compared to $1,264/mo in Dearborn (12% gap). Median home values are within 4% of each other: $205,900 in Dearborn and $214,000 in Knoxville.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Tennessee has no state income tax, while Michigan tops out at 4.25% — giving Knoxville a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Michigan and 7.00% in Tennessee; Dearborn has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Dearborn
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Knoxville
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 7.00%
Air quality data is available for Knoxville (avg AQI 59.0) but not yet for Dearborn.
Pick Dearborn if you prioritize higher median household income ($65,192/yr).
Pick Knoxville if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,116/mo median).
Pick Knoxville if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Dearborn cheaper than Knoxville?
Knoxville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 96.1 versus 96.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Knoxville.
How much is rent in Dearborn vs Knoxville?
Median rent is $1,264/mo in Dearborn, MI and $1,116/mo in Knoxville, TN. Knoxville, TN has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Dearborn or Knoxville?
Median household income is $65,192 in Dearborn, MI and $50,994 in Knoxville, TN. Dearborn, MI has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Dearborn or Knoxville?
Tennessee has no state income tax. Michigan has a top rate of 4.25%.
What salary do I need in Knoxville to match my Dearborn income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Dearborn, MI is equivalent to roughly $99,874 in Knoxville, TN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology